KAMPALA – Lecturers in public universities have agreed to maintain their ongoing industrial action over salary increment until the government heeds to their demands.
The resolution was reached during a meeting that was attended by vice chancellors at Kyambogo University on Friday. Dr. Simon Kawuma, the chairperson of Mbarara University of Science and Technology Academic Staff Association (MUSTASA), said the lecturers resolved to maintain their industrial action, adding that they expect to meet the Education minister and other government officials next week.
Dr Kawuma urged students and staff to remain patient until their pleas are met.
During the meeting, the vice chancellors attempted to convince the academic staff to end the strike, arguing that it was causing a crisis at the universities as students report following months of closure over the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
But this fell on deaf ears, with lecturers insisting that they have had enough of empty promises from government.
Prof Eli Katunguka, the Vice chancellor Kyambogo University, said the meeting resolved to establish a committee comprising five vice chancellors and FASPU representatives to negotiate with the government on how to resolve the standoff.
The academic staff demands that the government releases Shillings 129.24 billion to effect the enhancement of salaries of lecturers in all public universities. President Museveni promised increased salaries of academic staff in public universities in 2015. A professor would earn Shs 15m and a senior lecturer earns Shs 12.2m.
The government decided to implement the directive in phases for five years. In 2020/2021 financial year, the government released Shs 50Bn which benefited only professors and associate professors who got their 100 percent salary increment.
